Why I’m Running for Board of Selectmen

Why I’m Running for Board of Selectmen — and How I’ll Lead Differently

David Cohen - Candidate for Selectman

Over the past few months of knocking on doors and talking with residents, one theme has come up over and over again: effective communication matters. It’s not just about having ideas — it’s about making sure those ideas are heard, understood, and acted upon.

That’s why the North Haven Democratic Town Committee endorsed me, David Cohen, over Sally Buemi for Board of Selectmen. Sally has served our town for decades, and I respect her love for this community. But too often, her work as Selectman has been marked by poor communication, lack of collaboration with other elected Democrats, and missed opportunities to connect with residents.

Her points, even when important, often got lost in endless notes, detours into decades-old issues, and overly adversarial exchanges. The result? Ideas got buried instead of turned into action.

I will lead differently.

David Cohen and Kieran Ahern discussing how to move the town forward

What I Stand For

1. Effective Communication

   • Clear, concise, and respectful dialogue with residents and colleagues.

   • Transparent explanations of decisions and policies — no insider jargon, no distractions.

   • Proactive outreach so residents feel informed and included before decisions are made.

2. Community Engagement

   • Opening the tent wide — collaborating with Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and anyone who has a good idea to improve our town.

   • Listening first, speaking second, and making sure every voice feels heard.

   • Moving beyond “opposition politics” to focus on solutions that make life better here.

3. Affordability

   • I’ve heard it at almost every door: the recent tax increase hurt. Many residents — especially young families and seniors — are feeling the squeeze.

   • Home prices are high, costs are rising, and if we’re not careful, North Haven will become unaffordable for the very people who make it vibrant.

   • We need to protect essential priorities like schools and public safety while finding ways to reduce costs and overhead.

   • That means taking an honest, line-by-line look at our budget and being willing to make tough choices — even about things we hold dear.

   • I’ll lead by example: I will forgo my Board of Selectmen stipend. It’s a small gesture, but it reflects the seriousness with which I take our affordability challenge.

David Cohen at the Winter Warm Up hosted by the North Haven Democratic Town Committee

Why This Matters

If we want Democrats to be more than the “also ran” party in North Haven, we need to:

• Bring forward new ideas that solve real problems.

• Communicate those ideas clearly and effectively.

• Collaborate wherever it makes sense — even across party lines.

• Show that we’re willing to sacrifice for the greater good.

As Third Selectman, residents will see an immediate shift in how we:

• Talk about the issues that impact our town.

• Communicate our message to voters.

• Generate ideas and solutions for long-standing challenges.

David Cohen in the Memorial Day Parade as a Volunteer Firefighter

This job isn’t about being on the “Democratic team” or the “Republican team.” It’s about being on Team North Haven — and making sure every decision reflects that.

That starts with direct, honest, effective communication. And that’s exactly what I’m ready to deliver.

For more information, check out my website https://davidcohenct.com/.